girltalk Blog
2006 at 4:06 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
This past week a friend emailed and asked me for the details of Chad’s school schedule. Then I remembered—oops, I never delivered on my promise to post his school-year schedule on the blog. Many of you requested it after I posted his summer schedule during our RoutineTalk series. I’m sorry it has taken this long! You can download it here. But first, it might help to read this brief explanation of the schedule I sent to my friend:
I have attached Chad’s schedule that I work from. I actually print him a new schedule each day because I often need to change a time slot for one of his school subjects. (For example he may need more time that day to study for a Physical Science test so I will omit or cut back on one of the other subjects.) Also, he usually has practice or a game in the afternoon so I will include the specifics of that on his printed schedule for that day. He arrives home from practice or game in time for dinner. I usually have him start homework about 7:30 in the evening. He goes to bed between 9:30 and 10:30 (except Friday nites—he often stays up till midnight).
Chad’s weekends vary significantly due to church events, family activities, or sports. I have tried to incorporate a work project on Saturdays but that has not been happening very often. This Saturday I have plans for him to pull up the fall flowers in the garden and rake leaves, but it’s been awhile since he’s had a project like that. I trust this is all not too confusing!
Now I realize that my thirteen-year-old son’s schedule may only be interesting to a handful of you. However, Friday Funnies are coming up soon and we hope you all will enjoy this week’s laugh!
As some of you have brought to our attention, Amazon isn’t able to ship our upcoming book club selection—Elizabeth Prentiss: “More Love to Thee”—for several weeks. Don’t despair! We’ll wait until everyone has had a chance to receive their book. In fact, you can actually order it directly from the publisher, Banner of Truth right here. Hope you’ll join us as we learn from this godly woman’s life.
Today was “one of those days.” I woke up late and could barely keep my eyes open as I began my morning routine. I was behind schedule. All of my well thought out plans for my morning seemed lost. On days like this, the temptation to live by my emotions looms large. Complaining and grumbling were on my tongue. And then I read this, “We are TODAY accepted in the Beloved, TODAY absolved from sin, TODAY acquitted at the bar of God. Oh! Soul-transporting thought.” Mr. Spurgeon strikes again. My grumbling heart stood rebuked. Today is one of those days—one of those amazing days, which find me standing before the bar of God acquitted from all of my sin because of the death of Jesus Christ on my behalf. Yes, Mr. Spurgeon, this is a “soul transporting” thought.
Regardless of what this day holds for you, may the truth of your acceptance in the Beloved reign first in your heart.
2006 at 9:07 am | by Carolyn Mahaney
Yesterday, I had lunch at Red Robin with my dear friend, Marie. We hadn’t been together since she and her family moved about 45 minutes north to Frederick, Maryland where her husband assumed the role of Senior Pastor for the newly planted Sovereign Grace Church of Frederick. She and I had lots of catching up to do!
However, it was only moments after our initial exchange of “How are you? How’s the family? What did you do for Thanksgiving?” when Marie announced with pencil and paper in hand: “I have one question before we begin. How can I be praying for you?”
After brief reflection, I conveyed three areas for which I would appreciate her prayers. She wrote each one down, thanked me for sharing and then assured me she would pray.
I know she will. And I am deeply grateful.
I’m also provoked by her example. Hebrews 10:24 challenges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Marie did that for me yesterday. Though I’m sure she didn’t realize it, her love expressed in her good deed to pray for me spurs me on to love others more fervently and to be more diligent to do good deeds for them. Thank you, Marie!
2006 at 12:01 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
During my morning devotions, I was struck by the singular encouraging message found in two distinct verses in two separate books of the Bible highlighted by two different commentators. How wonderful is the unified encouragement of Scripture!
Currently I am studying the book of Genesis, and today Genesis 6:18 was a part of my daily reading: “But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.”
Bruce Waltke comments: “This key expression emphasizes that God preserves humanity in its basic family structure. His salvation extends to the children” (Genesis: A Commentary, p. 136).
The second encouraging verse is from the Psalms: “The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you” (Psalm 102:28).
Charles Spurgeon pointed out:
“This verse is full of good cheer to us; we may plead for the Lord’s favor to our offspring…. God does not neglect the children of his servants….Grace is not hereditary, yet God loves to be served by the same family time out of mind. We may, therefore, not only for our own sakes but also out of love to the church of God, daily pray that our sons and daughters may be saved, and kept by divine grace even unto the end—established before the Lord” (Psalms Volume II, p. 70).
Are you praying for an unconverted son or daughter today? Scripture would encourage you, in the further words of Mr. Spurgeon: “Oh, do not give up praying, for Christ is ‘mighty to save.’ You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is Almighty….the best proof of which lies in the fact that He has saved you” (Morning and Evening, Jan. 14).
Consider the saving power of Christ in your own life, and with marveling faith, bring your prayers for the soul of your child to the throne of God today—right now!
2006 at 5:26 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Have I got a super great resource for you today!
I may be a little biased, but the fall edition of the Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (published by CBMW published by and posted online with permission by Sovereign Grace Ministries) just came out featuring several of my favorite people. Yep, among the many contributing female authors, you will find Mom and Nicole along with our great friend Carolyn McCulley. Mom and Nicole have two articles taken from Girl Talk on homemaking (”Homemaking Internship” and “Future Homemakers”) and Carolyn has an excellent piece entitled, “When You Don’t Have a Better Half: Encouraging Biblical Roles as a Single Woman.” Enjoy your read!
Sorry we didn’t get the Friday Funnies up on Friday this week…we were a little distracted with Thanksgiving celebrations. But before the holiday weekend comes to a close we thought you’d enjoy this story that several of our readers sent us. See you all on Monday!
Nicole
for Carolyn, Kristin, and Janelle
PREGNANT TURKEY STORY
One year at Thanksgiving, my mom went to my sister’s house for the traditional feast.
Knowing how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to play a trick.
She told my sister that she needed something from the store.
When my sister left, my mom took the turkey out of the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, and inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in the oven.
When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird.
With a look of total shock on her face, my mother exclaimed, “Patricia, you’ve cooked a pregnant bird!” At the realization of this horrifying news, my sister started to cry.
It took the family two hours to convince her that turkeys lay eggs!
Yep…..............SHE’S BLONDE!
2006 at 10:02 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
It was a muddy day for the annual Turkey Bowl, but that didn’t stop us! We had a blast and a few of us (I won’t name names) are feeling a little sore tonight. Oh and as far as the Kristin and Chad rivalry, well, this year Kristin conceded that Chad has pulled far ahead of her in the athletic department and she is no longer able to cover him. But at least her team won!
2006 at 10:04 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Today began with homemade cinnamon rolls (which Nicole manged not to burn—yeah!) and was followed by turkey, ping pong, more turkey, lots of laughing, kiddos everywhere, and tons of fun. Take particular note of the pics with Mom and Steve and Brian. She defeated them (actually smoked them) in ping pong. Sorry guys.
2006 at 1:38 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! This is the big Mahaney holiday of the year. While many couples trade off spending Thanksgiving/Christmas with one side or the other, we have chosen to focus on Thanksgiving which allows our daughters to make their in-laws a priority at Christmas.
For anyone who is interested, we will be posting a photo-diary of the Mahaney Thanksgiving over the next several days. We’re sure to provide you with a few laughs, and you’ll want to find out who triumphs in the great football rivalry: Kristin or Chad! Also, check back for a special Thanksgiving Friday Funny.
As we make our final preparations for the Thanksgiving meal, for memories and for people, we must not neglect to prepare for gratefulness. This prayer from The Valley of Vision is a wonderful way to begin the Thanksgiving day or Thanksgiving meal. Contemplation on this quote from our favorite Mr. Charles Spurgeon will also stir up up gratefulness to God for His many blessings:
“The fear of a man who really knows the love and goodness of God, will be somewhat of this kind: He will fear lest he should really be, or should seem to be, ungrateful. ‘What’ he asks, ‘can I do? I am drowned in mercy. It is not as though my ship were sailing in a sea of mercy; I have been so loaded with the favour of the Lord that my vessel has gone right down, and the ocean of God’s love and mercy has rolled right over the masthead. What can I do O Lord? If thou had given me only a little mercy, I might have done something, in return, to express my gratitude. But oh! Thy great mercy in electing me, in redeeming me, in converting me, and in preserving me, and in all the goodness of thy providence toward me;—what can I do in return for all these favour? I feel struck dumb; and I am afraid, lest I should have a dumb heart as well as a dumb tongue; I fear lest I should grieve Thee by anything that looks like ingratitude.”
May your Thanksgiving be full of moments of gratitude as you contemplate the drowning mercies of our God!
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34
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